I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

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HELP NEEDED: – 3 actors – 2 male – 1 female

I am amazed how God takes what was intended for evil, and shows that he intended it for good. (Genesis 50:20) Case and point: I love how God take a show who’s name literally violates the first commandment, and is using it to produce artists who sing for His glory?

I am of course speaking of American Idol, a show who’s one purpose is to give America and its people someone to worship. And worship they do.

And yet, the greatest, most acclaimed idol ever is Carrie Underwood, who quite unashamedly gives glory to God in her music, and speaks of Him in her concerts. There has been a long train of Idols that have gone on to careers in Christian Music. But even better is someone who can sing the truth, incognito, and have massive popular appeal, without being “pushy”. He get’s to leave that job to us, which I love! It’s the neighbor’s job to love with God’s love, not always just the singer on the stage.

So without any further ado, this is from Phillip Phillips, 2012’s winner of American Idol. This is my favorite song of the last month, and a great music video. Take a look at it, and I’ll tell you how the video gets it wrong, but how the song can get it right:

Now musically this was my favorite from an incredible album… (seriously, buy it right now! Open up iTunes or Amazon or drive to Walmart and buy it!) but it was bugging me a little bit, lyrically. This usually means I haven’t cracked the code yet, but when I came back to it, and applied my 9 word encryption key… it opened up. And now I can’t stop singing it, can’t stop preaching from it, and need some people to help me act out the true story of this song for the world!

What was bothering about this song?

Well in the verses we have the singer declaring all of these promises of unconditional love, which is great! But then he turns it around to her and says, “give me reasons to believe, that you would do the same for me, and I will do it for you…” which is not so great. Why is his love for her, conditional upon her loving him back? That always bugged me, so I guess this couldn’t be my favorite song anymore. Unless… unless…

Who is God?
Where is Christ?
Who am I?

And when you ask those 3 questions… the 9 word encryption key goes to work… and it all makes sense. There’s someone else in this story with the couple…

So I don’t know if even Phillip Phillips knows just how amazing this song is, when you look for Christ, and find him in this song. I think he might have some idea… (did you see the burning bush towards the end of the video?)

Let me tell you what this song means. Through a dance. A mime. You have to imagine the actors here, and that is a lot to do, so I will do my best to show you how they act it out. Thus why I need help. But first… the back story…

This play requires 3 actors. One guy to play Jesus, one to play the Christian guy who is singing this song, and a girl. Let’s call them “Redeemer” (JESUS), “Redeemed” (GUY) and “In need of Redemption” (GIRL). (Which by the way is the only 3 categories of people who have ever lived since Adam and Eve) I suggest you play the song above, and read my commentary along with the song. Don’t start it yet though.

[The GUY is distraught, but doesn’t get a chance to get a word in. He turns around to leave, and sees Jesus standing right behind him… turns to the GIRL and the music starts… the GUY mouths the words of the song to the GIRL – ok now start the song]

When life leaves you high and dry I’ll be at your door tonight If you need help, if you need help I’ll shut down the city lights I’ll lie cheat I’ll beg and bribe to make you well, to make you well

[This whole time the GIRL is completely hard, and is resisting all of the GUY’s pleading and offering. As he grabs for her hand, she tears it away, no matter what direction he comes at her from, she turns away… but he continues to sing to her…]

When enemies are at your door I’ll carry you away from war if you need help, if you need help you’re hope dangling by a string I’ll share in your suffering to make you well, to make you well

[Now at this point the GUY shakes his head, and turns around to face Jesus, and sings these lines to Jesus]

give me reasons to believe that you would do the same for me

[JESUS stretches out his arms, reminding the GUY that He has already proven his love, and proven that He would in fact, do the same. GUY falls to his knees, raises his hands and sings…]

and I will do itfor you for you

[Rejuvenated, GUY turns back to girl and sings…]

baby I’m not movin’ on I’ll love you long after you’re gone

[GUY turns back to JESUS and sings…]

for you for you

[GUY turns to GIRL and sings…]

you will never sleep alone I’ll love you long after you go ooh long after you’re gone gone gone

[At this point JESUS has maneuvered himself behind the GIRL, who is standing rigid, arms crossed in front of her. She is completely oblivious to JESUS so far, and still is… JESUS gently gives her a nudge, which causes her to fall down…]

When you fall like a statue

[GUY is there to catch her and put her back on her feet as he sings…]

I’m gonna be there to catch you put on your feet, you on your feet and if your well is empty not a thing will prevent me tell me what you need, what do you need

[GUY turns back to Jesus]

I surrender honestly you’ve always done the same for me so I will do itfor you

[In this chorus GUY sings the first “for you” to JESUS, then turns and sings the second “for you” back to the GIRL]

for you baby I’m not movin’ on I’ll love you long after you’re gone

[to JESUS]

for you

[to GIRL]

for you you will never sleep alone I’ll love you long after you go ooh long after you’re gone gone gone

[All of this upcoming bridge is sung to JESUS… the GIRL finally looks at the GUY but still doesn’t notice JESUS… she is finally curious and throughout this whole bridge starts moving closer and closer to the GUY]

[Finally she has totally joined into the dance, and she notices, for the first time, JESUS! She is saved!]

like a drum my heart never stops beatin’

[Now GUY and GIRL sing to JESUS in unision, lifting their hands to Him…]

for you

[Now they turn to each other, and emphatically sing these words as a renewed covenant between them]

for you baby I’m not movin’ on I’ll love you long after you’re gone

[BOTH to JESUS]

for you

[BOTH to EACH other… a truly Christian marriage!]

for you you will never sleep alone I’ll love you long after you go ooh long after you’re gone gone gone

[This is my favorite part… all 3 now are fully dancing to the beat, and all together, they go out to whoever is watching the play, and look directly into the eyes of those in the crowd, and sing this last bridge to world, who desperately needs to see the eyes of the redeemed… staring into their souls, and loving the emptiness in there, until the ex nihilo God brings the dead to life, and creates longing for this love that only He can provide, directly and through his redeemed church. Oops, I’m preaching again… but you get the point…]

like a drum baby don’t stop beatin’ like a drum baby don’t stop beatin’ like a drum baby don’t stop beatin’ like a drum my heart never stops beatin’ for you And long after your gone gone gone I’ll love you long after your gone gone gone

Now that is what this song is really about!

Now who is going to help me with this? I would love to get 3 people in Kelowna to do this dance at our church in one of the weeks coming up. Please email me at goodbit@gmail.com if you are interested in playing a part. Or if you are out there somewhere, and decide to take my idea and run with it, please do, and take a video! I would love to see this idea in action!